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Standing up for your children is a very important task for a parent. And sometimes, to do so, parents must face difficult decisions. For example, refusing to be civil to another human being just because they were awful to your child.
This woman is the perfect example of that, as she found herself in a situation where she had to cut funding to another child’s camp after he made fun of her gay son.
More info: Reddit
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Sometimes withholding your generosity is the only right decision. Especially when it comes to your children
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
This woman’s son came out as gay, but sadly, his brother and his lifelong best friend made fun of him at school because of it
Image credits: Mikhail Nilov (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
Image credits: u/Huge_Assistance_9047
As retaliation, the woman decided to stop sponsoring her son’s best friend’s camp admission, knowing his mother won’t be able to pay for that herself
The post’s author has two sons – David, an older and quieter one, and Shawn, a younger and more easy-going one.
Ever since Shawn was little, he has had a friend named Frankie. 7 years ago, Frankie’s father was left disabled after a stroke. And since then, every year, the OP has anonymously sponsored the boy’s summer camp participation, because she knows his parents couldn’t afford it.
The author’s son David recently came out as gay. He also revealed that because of this, he endured quite a lot of bullying at school, including from his brother and his best friend. So, the OP confronted her younger son and he answered that he was just playing around, and it didn’t mean anything serious. The mother ended up grounding him for a month and taking away his video games until the end of the school year. He apologized to his brother.
Next, the woman went to deal with Shawn’s best friend Frankie. She called his mother and explained the situation, but Frankie’s mom was dismissive. In fact, she even said that David made himself a target by being an “overly sensitive tattletale.”
As a result, the OP decided not to sponsor her son’s friend’s camp participation anymore. And since Frankie’s mother doesn’t know who the sponsor was, she won’t know why and who ended the sponsorship.
Image credits: Quang Nguyen Vinh (not the actual photo)
The author’s husband agrees with such a decision, but at the same time he feels sad that Frankie won’t be able to go, so Shawn will have to go without his best friend. And just to make sure that she’s making the right decision, the woman came to ask for Reddit’s opinion.
Apparently, the people online would have done the same thing if they were in her shoes. And they not only justified her actions but judged the other mother in the story, who dismissed David’s bullying as “boys will be boys.” This saying is not only outdated due to perpetuating gender bias, but also doesn’t fit this situation at all. The bullying of LGBTQ+ youth shouldn’t be dismissed as easily as the younger boy’s mother, who was deemed to be a jerk, did.
In fact, queer youth tend to be bullied more frequently than straight teens. And it doesn’t only apply to school grounds – they also experience cyberbullying, so not even their homes are a safe place.
Bullying victims also tend to be a risk group for mental health conditions, including fear, depression, and anxiety, to name a few, substance abuse, physical illness, or even suicide.
So, people should strive to fight bullying in schools, in cyberspace, and even in their homes. People should feel safe and loved, no matter their surroundings and their sexual orientation. Just like today’s OP – she indeed put some effort into making sure her queer son’s life will be a little bit better.
“Let Frankie meet karma”: people online justified the author’s action by claiming the camp was a privilege, not a right for him
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What do you think ?
Panda-sized Potato 11 months ago
I get the hunch that the source of Frankie's bigotry might be closer to home.
Stckynote 11 months ago
mom was too nonchalant with they will work it out its not a big deal. i wouldn't be surprised if the slur gets used in her house and she doesn't care
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Gabby M 11 months ago
Bullies just plain suck!! No matter what the reason. And parents of bullies who do nothing about the behavior well they suck too.
Bored something 11 months ago
The parents who know and do nothing suck more than the kids who do it. Stop them when they are young and it's a smaller problem.
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ॐBoyGanesh 11 months ago (edited)
I also think it’s important to limit David’s exposure to his bullies. I’d tell Beth that the “boys” sorted it out: Frankie didn’t apologize nor did he stop so David requested to have to be around him as little as possible. Especially in his home. Therefore we’re going to respect Frankie’s choice to “joke” as he wishes & we’re definitely going to respect, support & enforce David’s choice to not have Frankie in his home. Shawn’s friendship with a bigot is irrelevant when it comes to protecting & supporting David. Sucks for Shawn, but he’s young and will maybe learn to weed out the garbage people in his life & pursue friendships with decent human beings.
LilliVB 11 months ago
I think it's not only good to limit David exposure to Frankie, but Shawn as well. I get they are best friend and that Shawn has his own fault in the bullying, but at least Shawn is being corrected and chastised by his parents. Frankie isn't, therefore I don't think it's exactly a good influence in Shawn life
Load More Replies... Panda-sized Potato 11 months ago
I get the hunch that the source of Frankie's bigotry might be closer to home.
Stckynote 11 months ago
mom was too nonchalant with they will work it out its not a big deal. i wouldn't be surprised if the slur gets used in her house and she doesn't care
Load More Replies... Gabby M 11 months ago
Bullies just plain suck!! No matter what the reason. And parents of bullies who do nothing about the behavior well they suck too.
Bored something 11 months ago
The parents who know and do nothing suck more than the kids who do it. Stop them when they are young and it's a smaller problem.
Load More Replies... ॐBoyGanesh 11 months ago (edited)
I also think it’s important to limit David’s exposure to his bullies. I’d tell Beth that the “boys” sorted it out: Frankie didn’t apologize nor did he stop so David requested to have to be around him as little as possible. Especially in his home. Therefore we’re going to respect Frankie’s choice to “joke” as he wishes & we’re definitely going to respect, support & enforce David’s choice to not have Frankie in his home. Shawn’s friendship with a bigot is irrelevant when it comes to protecting & supporting David. Sucks for Shawn, but he’s young and will maybe learn to weed out the garbage people in his life & pursue friendships with decent human beings.
LilliVB 11 months ago
I think it's not only good to limit David exposure to Frankie, but Shawn as well. I get they are best friend and that Shawn has his own fault in the bullying, but at least Shawn is being corrected and chastised by his parents. Frankie isn't, therefore I don't think it's exactly a good influence in Shawn life
Load More Replies...
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